Austin Systema offers a variety of classes, including specialized training for Law Enforcement, Civilians and Children. Feel free to contact our instructor, Gene, with any questions or feedback.
Is Systema a Martial Art? Certainly it is an effective modern study of personal combative. There are healing aspects, and plenty of punching, kicking and wrestling. There are gun, knife and stick study and conditioning, lots of conditioning. The breathing exercises are designed to maximize our human potential and are studied in a combative environment.
Where I think Systema veers away from a Martial Art is in the matter of contest. There really is no sense of contesting in Systema. The idea is to survive or prevail. There is no need to beat anyone. Violence for a Systema practitioner is not a proving ground, its just a job or a necessity. In fact Systema really has very little to do with other people or their perceptions of you. It seems Systema is a study of yourself.
Primary to every level of these experiences is the phrase, in Russian, "Poznai Sebia", which translates as, "Know Yourself". The philosophy of Systema is a core and guiding principle to the martial arts training experience at our school
